From Dennis Passa in Beerwah, Australia

A private funeral for "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin will be held in the next few days, according to the television naturalist's manager John Stainton.

Irwin, killed last Monday when he was struck through the heart by a stingray's barb while filming a wildlife documentary, will be buried at an as-yet undisclosed location in a ceremony for family and close friends.

"We are having a private family service in the next two or three days - by Monday at the latest," Stainton told CNN's Larry King in an interview from Brisbane. "Then we'll start planning the memorial service which will be open to members of the public."

Irwin's body was at a funeral parlour at Caloundra, about 12 miles from Australia Zoo, his wildlife park started by his father, Bob, in 1970. It was then moved to the zoo late on Friday for a service, the Nine television network in Australia said.

Stainton also said that Irwin's wife, American-born Terri, and his children were coping "quite well" with the death. The Irwins have two children, Bindi, eight, and Bob, two.

"Terri is very, very strong," said Stainton. "She's having a lot of sad moments obviously, but she's putting on a brave face for the kids' sake."

One venue mentioned for the public memorial service - expected to be held in the next 10 days - is a 52,000- seat sports stadium in Brisbane, Queensland's state capital.

Irwin could have had a formal state funeral, offered by Australian prime minister John Howard. Instead, Bob Irwin said his son would have preferred a smaller, private funeral.